November 23, 2012

If Black Friday is used as a measuring stick, local retailers will either meet or outdistance last year’s sales totals, according to reports from several stores.

Stores reported plenty of customers taking advantage of special deals on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving which is largely viewed was the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Some reported normal traffic at minimum, while others thought shopping activity was up.

“We have had normal traffic with no spikes and no lows,” said a representative at Lowe’s.

November 23, 2012

One Wapakoneta city administrator pledges the city’s electric system will have a solar panel field providing power for the city’s power consumers in 2013.

“I believe in my heart we will have a 3 megawatt project on the Zink Farm providing the city’s electric system with green energy,” Safety-Service Director Bill Rains said. “We are pretty close on finalizing our contract with Solar Planet and having it signed. This is the first time we have worked with them so we are making sure we are protected and they are protected.

November 23, 2012

David R. Garen, 74, of Leesburg, Fla., died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2012.
He was born Aug. 5, 1938, in Canton, the son of Hazel V. and David H. Garen, who preceded him in death. He married Cletah M. Dudgeon in 1959, and she preceded him in death in 2009.
Surviving are four daughters, Lisa (Jeff) Fowler, Darla (Ashraff) Rampersaud, Marcia Close, and Teresa (Herberth) Garen-Corrales; eight grandchildren; a sister, Joan (Jim)VanDeventer; a mother-in-law, Cameo Dudgeon; a brother-in-law, Arthur (Moneen) Dudgeon; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was a sister, Linda Campbell.

November 23, 2012

James T. âButchâ Barnett Jr., 58, of Indiana, died at 12 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, at his sisterâs residence in Wapakoneta.
He was born Aug. 6, 1954, in Muncie, Ind., the son of Betty L. (Stanley) and James Barnett Sr. His father preceded him in death and his mother survives.
Also surviving are two sisters, Shirley (Thomas) Prater, of Wapakoneta, and Sue Hamilton, of Alexandria, Ind.; a brother, Keith (Angel) Barnett, of Elwood, Ind.; a step-grandmother, Esta-May Stanley; and several nieces and nephews.
He was an avid horse lover.

November 23, 2012

Kay I. Shulaw, 73, passed away at 8:51 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at Lima Memorial Health System.
She was born Sept. 19, 1939, in Lima, to Theresa I. (Musser) and Closser K. Shulaw, who preceded her in death.
Surviving are a sister, Ma(Al) Drexler, of Wapakoneta; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Garry Shulaw.
She was a graduate of Lafayette Jackson High School. For 51 years, she worked at Lima Memorial Health System in the kitchen. Kay will be remembered for her love of animals.

November 23, 2012

For three hours Thursday, hundreds of people gathered inside the St. Joseph Parish Life Center for fellowship and traditional Thanksgiving Day fare.

This Thanksgiving Day, approximately 350 people took advantage of spending Thanksgiving Day together at the downtown Wapakoneta Catholic church — fulfilling the goal of the meal which is a community fellowship opportunity for area residents regardless of social status or income.

November 23, 2012

They are not the orange barrels signifying the construction season, but the Coats for Kids barrels set out by the Wapakoneta High School Octagon Club to benefit the needy.

“The barrels are out and they have been out since Saturday and they will be out until Dec. 2,” Octagon co-adviser Dawn Stinebaugh said. “We will have the coats cleaned and then we will give them to Mercy Unlimited.”

November 23, 2012

James T. Barnett Jr., 58, of Wapakoneta, formerly of Indiana, died at 12 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, at his sisterâs residence.
Arrangements are incomplete at Schlosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Wapakoneta.